Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Thursday) issued statements on the death of Omaha, Neb., Police Officer, 29-year old Kerrie Orozco, who was a Walnut, Iowa, native and resident of Council Bluffs. Orozco was killed in the line of duty Wednesday (May 20), while attempting to arrest Marcus D. Wheeler on a felony warrant for first-degree assault.

Governor Branstad said “I wish to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Officer Kerrie Orozco. As a former military policeman, I am keenly aware of the dangers law enforcement face every single day on the job. Officer Orozco served with integrity and was a model peace officer. My thoughts and prayers are with her newborn daughter and her entire family.”

Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds said “Officer Kerrie Orozco went to work every day to serve her community and keep her neighbors safe. This is a devastating loss of a dedicated public servant, community member and new mother. I offer my deepest sympathy to the family of Officer Orozco.”

A single-vehicle accident early Wednesday morning in Union County resulted in the driver being transported to the hospital in Creston. Authorities say 24-year old Tia Nichole Gilliland, of Mt. Ayr, was traveling on Union County road H-45 at around 8:30-a.m., when she lost control of her 2012 Dodge Avenger on the curve.

The vehicle hit a road sign post before entering the ditch. The car sustained $3,500 damage. Gilliland was transported by a friend to the Greater Regional Hospital in Creston for treatment of possible, unknown injuries.

How much money are your appliances costing you? Older models use two to three times the power of new ones. That’s why MidAmerican Energy Company says it’s offering the company’s residential electric customers a free Appliance Recycling program that turns old appliances into cold, hard cash. Customers with a working refrigerator, freezer or room air conditioner to be recycled can call 800-621-2757 to schedule an appliance pick-up.

A recycling company will haul away the old appliance free of charge, and MidAmerican Energy will send the customer a rebate of $50 for a refrigerator or freezer and $25 for an air conditioner. Tina Yoder, director, energy efficiency for MidAmerican Energy, said cash rebates from recycling older units, combined with rebates available on the purchase of new ENERGY STAR®-qualified appliances, make replacing appliances more affordable than people realize.

When a customer uses MidAmerican Energy’s Appliance Recycling program, their old appliance is taken apart and 95 percent of the components are either recycled for a beneficial use or disposed of in an environmentally responsible way, including the toxins and ozone-depleting gases.

To schedule a free Appliance Recycling pickup, MidAmerican Energy residential electric customers may call 800-621-2757 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eligible refrigerators and freezers must be 10 cubic feet or larger; no commercial sizes can be accepted. To qualify for a rebate, the appliance must be in working condition – the motor must run and the unit must cool.

MidAmerican Energy is a partner of the Responsible Appliance Disposal (RAD) program. RAD is a voluntary partnership program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help protect the Earth’s ozone layer and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

No injuries were reported following a chain-reaction crash Wednesday, in Creston. Authorities say the accident happened at the intersection of Sumner and New York Avenue at around 11:30-a.m., when a pickup driven by 25-year old Andy Gist, of Creston, came up too fast on two other vehicles waiting for the stop light to change.

Gists’ 2005 Ford F16 hit the rear of a 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup driven by Shaiyena Weaselhead, of Diagonal, which in-turn, struck a 2016 Chevy pickup, driven by George Queck, of Fontanelle, as he was starting to pull away from the light when it turned green.

Damage from the collisions amounted to $2,200. No citations were issued.

The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, approved an engineering agreement with Snyder and Associates Engineers, with regard to the Connector Trail and Pedestrian Bridge Project. The services will be paid for through a grant, with the City acting as the flow-through agency for the funds.

The agreement allows the City to begin the engineering and design phase of the $600,000 project, which will connect the Schildberg Recreation Area to a trail that will eventually connect to the T-Bone Trail connector head off of Highway 71, in the area known as the “Valley.” The pedestrian bridge will cross Troublesome Creek, just to the west of the KJAN studios.

The Council also approved a nearly 2-million dollar budget amendment for the current (Fiscal Year 2015) budget. City Administrator John Lund said the changes are not related to new spending or overspending, rather it’s more about moving monies designated for the next fiscal year into the current year.

And, the Council approved Mayor Dave Jones’ decision to appoint Dick Casady to the 5th Ward Council seat, effective June 4th, to fill the remainder of a term created by the resignation of Councilperson Lori Stuart. The seat will come up for election in November, unless a petition is circulated calling for a special election.